Procedure for manufacturing high quality zinc powder

ABSTRACT

A method of manufacturing high quality zinc powder in an independent grouping of small modular components, each having a combination oven and condensation chamber. There is a melting crucible and a retort or zinc vaporizing crucible inside the oven and the condensation chamber has several independent deposits in the lower area where condensed zinc particles settle and are later collected. A device in the condensation chamber acts as a safety valve which eliminates the risk of explosion when an abnormal reaction occurs inside the chamber. A device in the condensation chamber functions as a cleanser for zinc oxide to control not very violent abnormal reactions. A filtering device can be installed between the steaming retort or crucible and the condensation chamber which eliminates impurities in the zinc utilized.

United States Patent I [1 1 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 18, 1970 Spain 379,780

[52] U.S. Cl. .L 75/0.5 B, 75/88 [51] Int. Cl B22l 9/00 [58] Field of Search 75/88, .5 B

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,287,949 12/1918 Fricker 75/88 905,753 12/1908 Shortman... 75/88 1,233,652 7/1917 DeBavay 75/88 1,495,961 5/1924 Newell et a1... 75/88 2,007,027 7/1935 Schulze 75/88 500,436 6/1893 Smith 75/88 X 1,980,480 11/1934 Ginder et al... 75/88 2,823,111 2/1958 Davey et al 75/88 Calleja Oct. 30, 1973 [54] PROCEDURE FOR MANUFACTURING 3,563,727 2/1971 Webb 75/88 UX H QUALITY ZINC pOWDER 1,994,345 3/ 1935 Holstein et a1 75/88 [76] Inventor: Tomas Ferez Callcja, S. Gervasio s/n prin'mr y ExammerL. Dewayne Rutledge (vellaverde bale) Madnd Spam Assistant Examiner-M. J. Andrews [22] Filed: May 10, 1971 Attorney-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack 21 A l. N 141770 1 1 pp 0 ABSTRACT A method of manufacturing high quality zinc powder in an independent grouping of small modular components, each having a combination oven and condensation chamber. There is a melting crucible and a retort or zinc vaporizing crucible inside the oven and the condensation chamber has several independent deposits in the lower area where condensed zinc particles settle and are later collected. A device in the condensation chamber acts as a safety valve which eliminates the risk of explosion when an abnormal reaction occurs inside the chamber. A device in the condensation chamber functions as a cleanser for zinc oxide to control not very violent abnormal reactions. A filtering devicecan be installed between the steaming retort or crucible and the condensation chamber which eliminates impurities in the zinc utilized.

1 Claim, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENIEnumsOmn Q 3768.995

llfor'na's CALLEJA, Inventor Attorneys PAIENIHJUBI so 1975 SHEET 3 [BF 5 Tomas PEREZ CALLEJA, Inventor mmwwn ML Attorneys PATENTEDUBT so 1975 3; 768.995

' SHEET i, BF 5 Tomas PEREZ CALLEJA, Inventor By /nuw Attorneys PAIENrEnumaoma P Y 3,768,995 SHEETSUFS -Tomas PEREZ CALLEJA, Inventor BY 'QJMMGZLJ t ma Attorneys PROCEDURE'FOR MANUFACTURING HIGH QUALITY ZINC POWDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a procedure for manufacturing high quality zinc powder.

Production of high quality zinc powder is currently carried out by proceduresrequiring installations of certain dimensional characteristics, generally quite large and costly, so that when production of zinc powder is required to exceed that which has been preestablished, another plant of equal characteristics is necessary. The cost of such manufacture increases substantially since the new plant is as costly as the first one.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE 1 INVENTION This difficulty is satisfactorily resolved by means of this invention which consists fundamentally in grouping various small independent and inexpensive modular components which, assembled in a battery, may easily be shut down or placed in operation and therefore, pro-' duction of zinc powder can be reduced or increased without resulting in a substantially higher cost of the product obtained.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of an installation for manufacturing high quality zinc powder at a very low cost.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a process for eliminating impurities if zinc containing the same is utilized.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a process employing a safety device to prevent explosions would would destroy the installation.

A still further object is the provision of a process which allows for eliminating a very high percentage of zinc oxide (ZnO) in the zinc powder produced, whereby it is possible to compete advantageously with any installation. This process prevents the operation of the safety device when an abnormal, not very violent reaction, occurs in the condensation chamber.

The advantages and results obtained by employing the present invention are as follows:

A. Very low cost of installation, and with regard to the quality and quantity of zinc powder produced, there is an important difference in price between product produced by the present invention and prior processes.

B. It is possible to expand the installation indefinitely .without affecting other assembled modular compo- .cause the installation consists of an assembly of modular components totally independent of each other. Each of the components need not be inoperative in excess of eight days, a more than sufficient time for replacement of worn parts and, consequently, production is not interrupted for long periods as is the case with other installations. According to the invention, with constant production, the maximum inconvenience which might occur is that it might become necessary to stop certain of the modular components'and momentarily reduce production. 7 k

I. Continuityof the system due to its heat loads is made possible.

1. Minimum production of each modular component is in excess of 1,000 kilos daily.

The procedure observed for production of high quality zinc powder on the basis of zinc according to this invention is as follows:

The zinc is melted and subsequently loaded into a retort or crucible, the zinc then being vaporized in the retort or crucible proper. This vapor passes through a device for eliminating impurities and then to a condensation chamber. Vapor in this chamber is deposited as zinc powder in receptacles. These receptacles are removed as they are filled, and replaced by empty receptacles. Later the zinc powder obtained is put through a sieve. When the zinc in the retort or crucible is almost consumed, the process is initiated again without interrupting its continuity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS a crucible for melting FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a retort or crucible in which zinc is vaporized.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a chamber for eliminating impurities from the zinc.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a chamber where zinc is condensed and of the deposits where the product is collected.

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned schematic view of one of the modular components of the installation.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the same component from another point located in relation to the above.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 6 but in which the modular component has no crucible for melting the zinc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings it is observed that a melting crucible l for melting the zinc, is situated inside an oven 9 having a chimney 10, but farther from burners (not shown) than a retort or crucible 2, where the zinc is vaporized. The temperature in the vicinity of the retort 2 is in excess of the boiling point of the zinc. 2 is an addition to the retort, and 2" is a retort cover.

As shown in FIG. 7, the zinc need not be melted in the modular component shown, but may arrive at the retort 2, already melted, in order to continue the process from there.

In the case represented in FIG. 6 as well as that in FIG. 7, the melted zinc is vaporized in retort 2 and thus passes to chamber 3, equipped with an intake conduit fitted to the upper part of 2, and with an outlet fitted to condensation chamber 4, Inside chamber 3 for eliminating impurities from the zinc vapor there is coke,-

not pass to condensation chamber 4. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 the filter inlet is positioned lower than the filter outlet. Thus, any impurities, such as lead, in filter 3 will drop back to retort 2, due to their heavier weight.

When the zinc metal utilized contains few impurities it requires no device such as chamber 3, and in this case the zinc vapor passes directly from the vaporizing retort 2, to condensation chamber 4.

Pure zinc vapor passes to the condensation chamber 4, settles in powdered form in each of the deposits or receptacles 5. These deposits 5 are removed as they are filled, and are replaced by empty receptacles so that periodic collection of zinc powder may continue.

Formation of explosions inside the condensation chamber 4, due to violent reaction between oxygen and zinc is totally controlled by a safety device 6, provided in the upper part of condensation chamber 4. A purging device 7 is fitted in the lower part of the chamber 4 to control and expel the zinc oxide resulting in chamber 4, and when a not very violent abnormal reaction occurs in chamber 4, device 7 controls the reaction and prevents device 6 from operating.

1 claim:

1. Process for producing high quality zinc powder comprising:

a. pouring melted zinc into a retort;

b. heating said retort until said melted zinc boils, thus forming vaporized zinc;

c. passing said vaporized zinc through a filter such that the filter inlet is located in a plane lower than the filter outlet, thereby causing impurities in said vaporized zinc to be retained in said filter;

d. passing said vaporized zinc from said filter to a chamber, thus producing expansion of said vaporized zinc, thus initially forming-zinc oxide from reaction with oxygen within said chamber;

e. purging said zinc oxide from said chamber by opening a discharge valve;

f. closing said discharge valve when all of said zinc oxide is purged from said chamber, and thereafter forming zinc powder from expansion of said vaporized zinc in said chamber;

f. allowing said zinc powder to constantly drop by gravity into vessels situated below said chamber; and

h. providing a safety relief plate in the upper part of said chamber to avoid explosions when high pressures may eventually be produced within said chamber. 

